This Organized Life: Decluttering Tips for Moms, Entrepreneurs and Professional Organizers

Hi Friends! Joining me today is Autumn McKay, created of the Best Mom Ideas Blog -an online community for moms (or dads!) that provides support, encouragement, and practical resources for parents with littles. During our conversation we talk about real-life struggles parents are facing during the pandemic. From virtual learning to limiting screen time and knowing when everyone needs a time-out (including you!)As a former educator, and mom of 3, Autumn speaks candidly about her own parenting struggles and how she navigated through it. Autumn shares why boredom is good for our kidsHow she encourages kids to readWhat organization looks like in her house (and what responsibilities her kids have)Make sure you listen until the end of the show where Autumn shares a special free gift for all TOL listeners! I’ve said it before, and I will say it again, hats off to anyone parenting little ones during a pandemic. I thank Jesus every day that He spared my kids from having to be educated by me for even a minute.  You guys are all rock stars!xo-Laurie Connect with AutumnWEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAMLinks Mentioned in this EpisodeYEAR OF YES  |  ULTIMATE MOM-SAVER ACTIVITY BUNDLEPlease support us!SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week!REVIEW. Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show!Struggling with Clutter?Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz!Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back.Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold.Connect with MeWEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST

Hi Friends! I was introduced to today’s guest, Franziska Iseli, after reading her book, The Courage Map. The book chronicles her personal journal of traveling from Switzerland to Kazakhstan on a motorbike with nothing but a backpack and a notebook.Franziska is one of the most interesting guests I have had on the show. She is an adventure-seeking Swiss-Aussie who has authored 3 Best Selling books, in addition to being a social entrepreneur who is passionate  about ocean conservation.She has been featured across major media platforms including  INC, Forbes, Business Insider, Marie-Claire, and Cosmopolitan, but  I invited her to join me on TOL to talk about the experiences  and lessons learned from writing The Courage Map.During our conversation we talked aboutWhat prompted her to set off on a multi-country bike adventureLessons that she learned on her trip including: truth, intentions, trust, and loveWhy it’s easy for her to let go of material things (you have to listen to her story about giving her jacket to a complete stranger!)Courage is a big word that conjures up lots of images. At one point or another, we all seek to find courage, whether in our personal or professional lives. This episode challenged me to think differently about coming out of my comfort zone, and reinforced my belief that living simply and working smart can open your world up to the most incredible possibilities.Make sure to check out the links below to reference all things we talked about during our conversation.XOXO-LaurieConnect with FranziskaFACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | LINKEDIN | YOUTUBEFranziskaIseli.com | BasicBananas.com | Oceanlovers.com | TheBusinessHood.comLinks Mentioned in this EpisodeThe Courage Map | The Alchemist |  The Little Prince | Losing my VirginityPlease support us!SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week!REVIEW. Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show!Struggling with Clutter?Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz!Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back.Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold.Connect with MeWEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST

Hi friends! I am so excited to share today’s guest with you. Joining me is health and wellness coach, Elizabeth Sherman. Elizabeth works with folks to design the right health program for their body and lifestyle.  Her core demographic are women in their forties who may be struggling keeping weight off, and changing habits that no longer work like they may have in their 20’s & 30’s.  Yes, she may as well have been speaking to me directly!  Elizabeth has been through her own weight loss journey which she shares on the show. During our conversation we talk about:The pivotal moment that was her “wake up call” that something had to changeWhere to begin? Elizabeth shares her first step into creating new habitsWhat to do when you have a setback along the way What habits and routines she has adopted to support her new and improved lifestyle Common obstacles that her clients face and how to overcome themI loved her simple, honest and down to earth approach and suspect you will too! She is also offering our listeners a free mini-session with her, so make sure to check out the link in our show notes.Fun Fact: Elizabelth and her husband are Chicago natives who now live and work in Mexico. Their move was featured in an episode of House Hunters International, and I’ve posted the link below if you want to check it out!XOXO-LaurieSpecial thanks to our sponsor for this episode: 1Thrive who are committed to making organizing simple, fun and stylish through their collection of command centers. Visit 1Thrive.com to find the system that works best for you. Make sure to use code SB10 to receive 10% off your entire order!Connect with ElizabethSCHEDULE A FREE MINI-COACHING SESSION!WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | PODCAST | LINKEDINLinks Mentioned in this EpisodeHOUSE HUNTERS INTL | THE UNTETHERED SOUL | THE GIFTS OF IMPERFECTION | THE LIFE COACH SCHOOL PODCASTPlease support us!SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week!REVIEW. Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show!Struggling with Clutter?Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz!Would you like to see this Podcast on video?SUBSCRIBE to TOL on YouTube to check out our new video episodes each week!Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back.Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold.Connect with MeWEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST

Hi Friends! I know how much you love products, so you are in for a treat!  Joining me today are 2 of the founders of 1Thrive, Brett Stern and Mayra Kavan.  You may have seen their stylish command centers around facebook, Pinterest or the IG because they are taking the organizing & lifestyle space by storm!It’s no surprise why everyone is loving them considering that they were designed by a team of moms-(can I get an amen!)I invited Brett and Mayra on TOL to talk about:How 1Thrive began & why they felt compelled to create a niche product lineHow visual learners are benefitting from the 1Thrive systemHow the entire family can use the same system in their own unique wayMake sure to stick around until the end of the episode where Brett shares a special promo code exclusive for our TOL community!As we wrap up January, let’s continue on the path of organization together.  I always say, a great product won’t make you organized, but it can help to inspire you and make it fun along the way!XOXO - LaurieP.S. Don’t forget to check out 1Thrive.com who is committed to make organizing simple, fun and stylish. Enter code SB10 to receive 10% off your entire order!Connect with 1THRIVEWEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTERESTLinks Mentioned in this EpisodeOUTLIERS BY MALCOLM GLADWELLPlease support us!SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week!REVIEW. Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show!Struggling with ClutterClick HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz!Would you like to see this Podcast on video?SUBSCRIBE to TOL on YouTube to check out our new video episodes each week!Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back.Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold.Connect with MeWEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST

I’d like to welcome our newest sponsor, 1Thrive.com.  Start the New Year off Organized with these stylish & customized command centers. Visit 1Thrive.com to check out the entire collection. Make sure to enter promo code SB10 at checkout to receive 10% off of your entire order! Hi friends! If you enjoyed last week’s episode with money expert, Rachel Cruze, then you are going to love today’s guest!  Joining me is advocate, activist, and attorney, Shakisha A. Morgan, Esq.(yes, she has an esq after her name!) With over a decade of legal experience,  Shakisha is currently the Maryland Practice lead for The Griffin Firm, PLLC, an estate planning, probate, and business succession planning firm with offices in Maryland, DC, and Virginia.Shakisha uses her knowledge and expertise to empower communities by helping individuals, families, and business owners create, protect, and transfer wealth through estate planning. The daughter of Jamican immigrants, Shakisha is a graduate of Stanford University and Georgetown Law, and has been featured at conferences, podcasts, workshops, and continuing legal education seminars on estate planning, probate, and wealth building. She is also a wife and mother of an almost 1 year old daughter.I always say that there is more to living an organized life than bins and baskets. Estate Planning is a core component of the organization process that often gets overlooked. I invited Shakisha on the show to share some insight on what we need to know when it comes to planning for our future.During our conversation we talked aboutWhat exactly is estate planning?Who needs an estate planning attorney?Some of the most common questions people have about the estate planning processWhat happens if you don’t have provisions in place?At what age should you get a will? Get life insurance? Begin building wealth?How often we should review and update our estate plansShakisha took a topic that can be incredibly overwhelming, and made it digestible and actionable!I learned so much for our conversation, and hope you do too.I encourage you to share this episode with your kids, parents or friends. It’s a great way to break the ice on an important topic. Make sure to check out the links below for more information on connecting with Shakisha or how to sign up for a FREE, monthly estate planning webinar.xoxo - LaurieP.S.  Don’t forget to check out 1Thrive.com who is committed to make organizing simple, fun and stylish. Enter code SB10 to receive 10% off your entire order!Connect with ShakishaWEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOKLinks Mentioned in this EpisodeTHE TIME KEEPER | PRESENT OVER PERFECT | MARY & MARTHA PODCASTPlease support us!SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week!REVIEW. Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show!Struggling with Clutter?Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz!Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back.Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold.Connect with MeWEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST

I’d like to welcome our newest sponsor, 1Thrive.com.  Start the New Year off Organized with these stylish & customized command centers. Visit 1Thrive.com to check out the entire collection. Make sure to enter promo code SB10 at checkout to receive 10% off of your entire order!Hi Friends! Today we are talking all about Money Habits with money expert, Rachel Cruze.Since 2010, Rachel has served at Ramsey Solutions, where she teaches people to avoid debt, save money, budget and how to win with money at any stage in life. She’s authored three best-selling books, including Love Your Life, Not Theirs and Smart Money Smart Kids, which she co-wrote with her father, Dave Ramsey.  I invited Rachel to join me on TOL to talk about her latest book Know Yourself, Know Your Money: Discover WHY You Handle Money the Way You Do and WHAT to Do About It  that just released last week!  During our conversation we talked about The motivation that led her to write this bookThe role that fear plays into how we use, save and spend moneyThe 4 different types of “money classrooms” The 7 money tendencies and how to identify themHow & when to talk to your kids about money and financesPractical and tactical steps to take if you’re are feeling overwhelmed about debt or expenses****Special bonus! At the top of the episode, I share a candid conversation with my good friend, Gail (who you might remember from episode 165: Preparing for Aging Parents).  We talk about Gail’s wake-up call about finances, I talk about my own relationship with money,  and why I believe in the value of having a financial roadmap like Dave Ramsey’s 7 Baby Steps.I always knew that there were similarities between people’s relation with money and their relationship with clutter, and Rachel’s book really gets you thinking about your WHY, (just like we teach here!)  If you are struggling with clutter, I encourage you to read Rachel’s book to see if you can understand your unconscious motivations for how you view and use money. This could be the first step in living a less cluttered and more organized life.xoxo - LaurieP.S.  Don’t forget to check out 1Thrive.com who is committed to make organizing simple, fun and stylish. Enter code SB10 to receive 10% off your entire order!Connect with RachelWEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBELinks Mentioned in this EpisodeTHE RACHEL CRUZE SHOW (PODCAST) KNOW YOURSELF KNOW YOUR MONEY BOOK***Sponsor for this episode:  1Thrive.com and make sure to enter code SB10 to receive 10% off your entire order!Please support us!SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week!REVIEW. Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show!Struggling with Clutter?Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz!Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back.Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold.Connect with MeWEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST

Hi Friends! Happy New Year everyone!  We are kicking off 2021 with a bang!  Joining me today is Author, Speaker, and Coach, Alli Worthington. You may know Alli from her books The Year of Living Happy, Fierce Faith, and Breaking Busy, or from her popular podcast, The Alli Worthington Show.  I invited Alli onto TOL to talk about her most recent book, Standing Strong which was released in September 2020.Alli shares what she calls ”unlocking your superpower”  (she even has a short, fun quiz on her website which we have linked to below).During our conversation Alli talks about her relationship with her husband Mark, raising 5 boys, and her own journey of overcoming adversity and living with confidence. Alli is also an Enneagram Junkie, so of course we spent a few minutes chatting about personality types (you’ll have to listen to hear what her Enneagram Type is!) If you’re looking for some motivation to help start your New Year off on the right foot, this is the episode for you.xoxo - LaurieConnect with AlliWEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TWITTERLinks Mentioned in this EpisodeTHE ALLI WORTHINGTON SHOW | STANDING STRONG BOOK | TAKE THE QUIZ ***Sponsor for this episode: 1Thrive.com and make sure to enter code SB10 to receive 10% off your entire order! Please support us!SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week!REVIEW. Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show!Struggling with Clutter?Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz!Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back.Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold.Connect with MeWEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST

Hi Friends! Today is the last day of 2020 and our final episode of the year. Congratulations for persevering through unforeseeable trials and tribulations–you made it!There’s no denying that 2020 was filled with loss and change-whether personal, professional, financial, or social; we each have a story, battle-scars, and experiences to pull from as we enter a new year.  We’ve had to redefine priorities, reinvent ourselves, our businesses, relationships, and how we “do life.”My guest day is no stranger to any of it.  Joining me on TOL is Alexandria Maria. Alexandria is an Empowerment Coach & Business Mentor for aspiring entrepreneurs. Her mission is to help women make their dream life a reality. She aims to help women move from feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and lost to feeling aligned, motivated, and driven by a clear vision. Having always followed the “rules of life”, Alexandria was thriving on the outside but on the inside, she was fighting a battle with anxiety which ultimately resulted in a breakdown. Her breakdown actually became her breakthrough, as she realized that her depression was a sign of how unhappy she was with the life she had created. She ripped up the rule book, left her corporate job, and decided to create her own path. One that would inspire and empower other women to do the same. Today she pulls back the curtain and shares her story with us.During our conversation we talked about:How COVID made us reassess what is important in life.How to uncover your life purpose.How to move through fear when it comes to quitting your 9-5 job.Lockdown has made you question your life- now what?Moving from depressed to thriving.How to manifest your dream life.Personal practices to help you thrive.Alexandria also shares her story of relocating from London to Mexico in the middle of a pandemic!  I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. I was inspired by her transparency, tenacity, and overall outlook on life.It’s my wish that as we leave 2020 behind us and look ahead to 2021 that you are able to take some nuggets of wisdom from my conversations with Alexandria and apply them to your life.God Bless and I will see you in 2021!xo - Laurie Connect with AlexandriaWEBSITE | INSTAGRAMPlease support us!SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week!REVIEW. Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show!Struggling with Clutter?Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz!Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back.Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold.Connect with MeWEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST

Hi Friends! Today we are taking a walk down memory lane as we recap our most popular episodes of 2020.  We looked at which ones were the most popular from you based on downloads, and which were my personal favorites. One thing is for certain, we’ve had some incredible guests this year on TOL, and I’m not going to lie, it was hard for me to choose my top five.As I sat down and listened to hours of content, what I found super interesting was that the one common theme that kept recurring from our guests is something that I have been talking about for years: clutter and disorganization isn’t limited to what you see on the outside, it’s how you feel on the inside.Whether you are riddled with guilt, overwhelmed with fear, or struggling with procrastination, getting to the root of your clutter gives you freedom. This list runs the spectrum of topics, and includes guests from Boomers to Millennials. If you haven’t already listened to these, I encourage you to go back and check them out.  If you have already listened, I invite you to refresh your memory by re-listening. I know that I picked up some additional nuggets of wisdom the second time around!Top 5 episodes of 2020     1. Ep 162: Decluttering Hacks for 2020     2. Ep 163: How to Choose Your Ideal Wardrobe with Jeannie Stith-Mawhinney     3. Ep 164: Creating a to-don’t list     4. Ep 180: Clutter Clinic Quarantine!     5. Ep 161: Financial Freedom with Rose LounsburyMy fav episodes of 2020     1. Ep 198:  Dispelling Men Myths with Josh Levs     2. Ep 182: Streamline your Inbox with Claire Giovino      3. Ep 176: Clutter, Covid & Mindfulness with Kristen Manieri     4. Ep 167: Emergency Planning with Karen Purze      5. *Tie: Ep 204:  Enneagram 4’s with Ian Morgan Cron & Ep 209: Enneagram 9’s with Marissa OrrI am excited for 2021, and bringing you more great guests, content and inspiration so you feel empowered to live a less cluttered and more organized life. Thank you for showing up each week. I am grateful you choose to share your time with me.xo - Laurie Please support us!SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week!REVIEW. Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show!Struggling with Clutter?Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz!Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back.Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold.Connect with MeWEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST

Hi Friends! Every year we put together a holiday gift guide to make your shopping a little easier.  Despite 2020 turning the world upside down, we were determined to find some great clutter-free options for you and the family!  Joining me today is SBO Partner, Melynda Weiland. Melynda is the founder of Order to Everything in Austin, TX. Together we scoured the internet to find a variety of gifts that won’t add to the clutter or break the bank!  We broke our gift guide down into 8 categories: CandlesBath and BodyGamesFood & BeverageWorkoutExperiences Personalized Giftsand my personal favorite, Gifts that Give BackAlthough many of these items are physical in nature, they made the list because they are something to use, wear or play-without taking up much space.In years past, experiences like concerts, sporting events and theater tickets topped the list, however given our current climate, we opted to bring the fun experiences inside our homes.Every company on our list was hand selected by either Melynda or me. We were not compensated in any way, either with product or monetary to endorse any of these (although we personally use many of them!)I encourage you to listen to the entire episode to see why each of these made the list.(Links to each company are at the bottom of the show notes.) Quick side note, I did my best to support small online businesses, local retailers, and artisans this year rather than big box stores. As you shop this list, please consider making your purchases from your local toy stores, boutiques, and family owned businesses who are struggling to stay afloat during our economic shut downs.xo - LaurieConnect with MelyndaWEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAMJOIN THE ORGANIZING LABLinks Mentioned in this Episode By CategoryGifts that Give Back:Heifer International: (helping third world farmers build businesses and a sustainable living)Charity Water : (bringing clean drinking water to third world countries)Compassion International: (sponsor a child in need across the world)Candles:Homesick: (state scented candles; home, self-care)Light & Bark Candle Co (formerly the Dog Candle Company)Bath & Body:Dermstore (him, her, self-care)Briogio hair : (woman owned, multi-racial self-care)Carols Daughter:  (Love the butter body balm) Milk + Honey: (milk bath, body oils, aromatherapy, all organic and great packaging!) Games: Bananagrams (my family’s personal favorite!) Relative Insanity (created by Jeff Foxworthy and played on Jimmy Fallon),Scratch art box of rainbow mini notes (melissa & doug)Food/Bev:Wine tasting set: Wine.com (him, her)Nakedwines.com: (good on budget, also has a fun quiz!)Truffle Hunter Gift Set: (great for the foodie!)Fire Dept Coffee: (supporting firefighters)Grounds & Hounds Coffee: (every cup helps a pup!)Mistobox.com: (Personalized coffee subscription box)Bluebottlecoffee.com (Coffee subscription box with fun packaging!)Goldbelly.com – (bring some comforts of home to wherever you are!)Williamsonoma.com (luxury charcuterie boards and more!)Workout:Lululemon Yoga Mat: (for all of your home workouts! I have one and love it!) Experiences/Subscriptions:Audible: (for the reader who likes to listen to books)Patreon: (support your favorite podcasters)Craftsy: (for the crafter in your life)Spafinder.com: spa services in your local areaPeloton App Subscription:  (Choose from hundreds of classes-you don’t need the bike to get the workout app!)Personalized Gifts:Shutterfly.com: (custom photo books, calendars and keepsakes)Mixbook.com: (photo books, calendars, fun designs, fully customizable)Legacybox.com (photo and media transfer service-one of Melynda’s Favorites!)Create my Cookbook: Homemade Family Recipe bookZazzle: Homemade Custom Family Recipe book (I made one here!)Other Promo Codes Exclusive For The TOL Community!STREAMLINE YOUR INBOX WITH INBOXDONE | 10% OFF YOUR COLOR GURU WITH CODE “ORGANIZEDLIFE” Please support us!SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week!Struggling with Clutter? Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz!Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back.Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold.Connect with MeWEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST